Will Smith sued over sexual harassment allegations by touring violinist

Will Smith is facing a lawsuit from violinist Brian King Joseph, who alleges sexual harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination during the actor’s global tour, claims that Smith has not yet publicly addressed.

WEBDESK – Imran Malik – MediaBites – January 2, 2026

Hollywood star Will Smith has been sued over allegations of sexual harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination, in a case that could send shockwaves through the entertainment industry.

The lawsuit was filed on December 30 in Los Angeles Superior Court by professional violinist Brian King Joseph, who joined Smith’s Based on a True Story global tour in late 2024. The complaint names Smith and his company, Treyball Studios Management, Inc., as defendants.

According to court filings, Joseph alleges that Smith, 57, groomed him after inviting him to join the international tour. The lawsuit describes a “traumatic series of events” that allegedly took place in March 2025 while the tour was in Las Vegas.

Joseph claims that someone entered his hotel room without signs of forced entry and left items he perceived as a sexual threat, including a handwritten note reading: “Brian, I’ll be back… just us,” along with belongings that did not belong to him. Fearing the individual would return, Joseph reported the incident to hotel staff, local authorities, and Smith’s management team.

Instead of receiving support, the lawsuit alleges that Joseph was later shamed by a member of the tour’s management and ultimately terminated from the tour. Another violinist was reportedly hired to replace him shortly afterward.

The complaint states that Joseph suffered severe emotional distress, economic losses, and lasting reputational damage, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Brian King Joseph rose to prominence as a top-three finalist on America’s Got Talent in 2018 and has since built an international reputation as a crossover violinist. His inclusion in Smith’s tour was widely seen as a major career milestone.

Neither Will Smith nor Treyball Studios has publicly responded to the allegations at the time of filing. The case is expected to draw intense scrutiny as legal proceedings move forward.